Ugo Ehiogu dead: Former England defender dies aged 44

Ugo Ehiogu has died after suffering a heart attack at Tottenham's training ground

Ehiogu, 44, was taken to hospital on Thursday after paramedics were called

But the former central defender died in hospital, the club has announced

The four-cap England international is survived by wife Gemma and their son

Ugo Ehiogu has died after suffering a heart attack at Tottenham's training ground on Thursday morning.

The Spurs Under 23s coach collapsed on the club's academy training pitches and received immediate attention from the Tottenham medical staff.

Paramedics were called and he was rushed to hospital by ambulance, but passed away in the early hours of Friday morning at the age of just 44.

Former Tottenham Under 23 coach Ugo Ehiogu has died after suffering a heart attack

Ehiogu died after suffering a heart attack on Spurs' academy training pitches on Thursday

The former central defender is survived by wife Gemma and the couple's one son

Ehiogu won four caps for England, scoring against Spain in a friendly in 2001

The club announced the news on Friday morning, issuing a statement: 'It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Ugo Ehiogu, our Under-23 coach'.

'Ugo received immediate treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Training Centre yesterday before being transferred to hospital, where he passed away in the early hours of this morning.

'The club sends its deepest condolences to Ugo's family. Gemma has specifically asked that the family are given privacy at this difficult time.

'We should also like to place on record our thanks to all the medical professionals including those at North Middlesex University Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital and Harefield Hospital for their care and support.'

Tottenham's head of coaching and player development John McDermott said: 'Words cannot express the shock and sadness that we all feel at the Club. Ugo's immense presence will be irreplaceable. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Gemma and his family.'

The official account of the England football team sent their condolences to Ehiogu's family. A tweet said: 'We're devastated to hear the news that Ugo Ehiogu has passed away. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all lucky enough to know him.'

Ehiogu's former club Villa, for whom he played more than 300 games, tweeted to say they would be holding a minute's silence prior to their clash with rivals Birmiongham at the weekend: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our former defender Ugo Ehiogu.

'Our thoughts are with his family at this terribly sad time.'

The defender, pictured tackling Ian Wright in 1997, was a stalwart for Villa for nearly a decade

Ehiogu pictured marking George Weah during the 2000 FA Cup final, which Chelsea won

The four-cap England international, who scored in Sven-Goran Eriksson's first game in charge of the national team in 2001, began coaching at the club part-time before being appointed Under 21 boss in 2014, having called time on his own playing career in 2009.

Ehiogu was born in east London and joined West Bromwich Albion as a trainee before moving to Villa where he made his breakthrough and played for nine years.

Villa won the League Cup on two occasions during his time at the club, with the defender starting in their 1996 success over Leeds at Wembley, while he was also part of the side which lost the 2000 FA Cup final to Chelsea.

Ehiogu played long spells of his career alongside current England boss Gareth Southgate

Ehiogu left Villa for Middlesbrough in a then club-record £8million deal in October 2000

He moved to Middlesbrough later that year for a then club-record £8million, where he teamed up with current England manager and former Villa team-mate Gareth Southgate once again.

Ehiogu was a League Cup winner again in 2004 as Boro beat Bolton 2-1, before he moved to Leeds for a short loan spell.

From there he moved to Scottish giants Rangers before finishing his career with Sheffield United.

In total he made 507 club appearances, scoring 26 goals and winning four England caps. He made his international debut against China in 1996, scoring his only goal in a clash with Spain at Villa Park in 2001.

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